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Bill

SB 937

Health care; creating the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act of 2025. Effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Collin Duel and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma adopts Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act establishing legal procedures for surrogate medical decision-making and advance directives when patients cannot decide for themselves.

Coauthored by Representative Duel (principal House author)
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Bill Summary · SB 937

Legislative bill overview

SB 937 proposes to adopt Oklahoma's version of the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act of 2025, a model law designed to standardize how healthcare decisions are made when patients cannot make them themselves. The bill establishes procedures for surrogate decision-making, advance directives, and end-of-life care determinations across the state.

Why is this important

This legislation affects millions of Oklahomans by clarifying legal authority for medical decisions during incapacity—situations families face during serious illness, accidents, or dementia. Uniform standards reduce legal uncertainty, prevent family disputes, and ensure healthcare providers have clear guidance on whose wishes to follow when patients cannot communicate.

Potential points of contention

  • Surrogate decision-making hierarchy: Who has authority to make decisions (spouse, adult children, parents, etc.) may conflict with existing state law or family preferences in specific cases
  • End-of-life and withholding treatment: Religious and philosophical differences on withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, particularly around artificial nutrition/hydration, could generate significant opposition
  • Advance directive specificity: Debates over how detailed directives must be and whether standard forms adequately capture individual values and medical complexity

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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